Felice Vineyards

Felice is a great place to gather with friends before or after a Friday meal or during the Trolley Hop. (Credit: Joanna Richards, special to Velocity)

The bread and butter of Felice's business is private functions -- rehearsal dinners, corporate gatherings and the like -- but on Fridays, owner Jeff Tatman opens his gorgeous space to the public and tends bar, pouring the wine he's made himself.

Tatman owns the property that encompasses the rustic winery along with the Italian restaurant Melillo's and the Italian grocery the Bodega. It's a simple but elegant rural atmosphere defined by tiles, wood and the air and light pouring in from open windows and doors. A single strand of Christmas lights stretches from the small bar at the front of the space, past the large, round tables to the wine vats in back.

Felice offers no food, but guests are welcome to bring in appetizers from the neighboring Bodega, and diners from Melillo's often stop in for a drink before or after a Friday dinner.

The winery currently offers two whites -- a Sauvignon Blanc and a Viognier ("the next big thing in wine," said Tatman) -- and several reds, some of which are offered in multiple vintages. There's a Pinot Noir, two Sangioveses, two Merlots, a Zinfandel, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Nearly all are from 2004 or 2005 -- Felice, now open for five years, has just started to offer wines aged two or three years, said Tatman, who buys his grapes from a grower in California and makes the wine in four wooden vats on display on the premises.

All but the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($7 per glass) are offered for $5 per glass. Bottles range from $15 to $25. The wines I tasted all emphasized earthy or leathery flavors over sweetness or fruitiness, and Tatman chatted amiably with me until other guests arrived.

A little music would polish the atmosphere and make Felice's Friday hours (5 to 9 p.m.) a great date destination -- especially on a First Friday Trolley Hop night, when you can prove your classiness by buying your date an artisan wine rather than free Yellow Tail from a Solo cup at the galleries.

Although they're not listed on the menu, flights of three wines are available for $5 upon request. Felice also sells full bottles to take home. A lovely and spacious patio includes a fountain and bocce ball court (with rules posted for newbies) and a decorative grape arbor. The affordable, interesting wines and gorgeous setting make Felice a great place to relax before or after catching a play, concert or art exhibit downtown this summer.

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